Squadron 2, Tra Vinh Border Guard with rescue work at sea

Officers and soldiers of Squadron 2, Tra Vinh Border Guard maintain weapons and equipment.

Over the years, the search and rescue work has always been identified by the Party Committee and the Command of Squadron 2 as one of the key and regular tasks, aiming to reduce human and property losses of the people in the coastal border area. The Party Committee and the Command of the unit regularly organize the dissemination of the "4 on-site" motto. Strengthen political and ideological education for officers and soldiers participating in search and rescue to always have a strong political stance, endure difficulties and challenges. Regularly practice handling situations occurring at sea, improve the ability to respond to rescue, overcome big waves and strong winds, determined to bring people and vehicles in distress safely to shore; overcome damage caused by natural disasters, and successfully complete assigned tasks.

According to Major Le Van Thai, Political Commissar of Squadron 2, the above results were achieved thanks to the Party Committee and the Unit Commander always closely directing and doing a good job of political and ideologicaleducation for officers and soldiers. During the first half of the term (2020 - 2025), despite the fact that the number of soldiers often fluctuated due to the nature of long-term missions at sea, being on duty at ports and strengthening forces for neighboring provinces, the officers and soldiers of the unit strictly followed discipline and the law, maintained political courage, promoted a sense of responsibility, overcame difficulties, and performed and completed their tasks well.

In recent years, the weather has been complicated and unpredictable, negatively affecting traffic and business at sea, causing damage to machinery, equipment and means of transport at sea, and ship sinking incidents. In addition, the illegal exploitation of natural resources and minerals has directly affected the production, business and livelihood of fishermen. Implementing the direction of the Party Committee and the Provincial Border Guard Command with the motto "determination - timeliness - efficiency", the Party Committee and the Command of Squadron 2 have built a model of "Rescue and rescue boats at sea" to promptly organize forces and means to carry out tasks when situations arise.

At the end of 2021, a tropical depression occurred at sea, with big waves and strong winds affecting fishermen's fishing and seafood at sea; making it difficult to grasp the situation of patrolling, controlling and searching and rescuing tasks. At 05:08 on November 2, 2021, Squadron 2 received a notice from the Provincial Border Guard Command that a vessel named Huynh Nhu (unknown registration number) with 03 fishermen on board was sinking in the sea of Truong Long Hoa commune, Duyen Hai town, about 10 nautical miles from shore (unknown coordinates) 03 fishermen were drifting at sea. After receiving the notice, the unit deployed ship BP 17-04-01 to the area where the ship sank to expand the search area. After nearly 02 hours, the fishermen were brought safely ashore.

Since 2017, the model of "Rescue and rescue boats at sea" was established and officially put into operation. The unit has gathered 12 fishing households with means of operating at sea, promoting the spirit of solidarity, responsibility, timeliness, and on-site rescue and rescue work when situations arise. Regularly organize propaganda and dissemination of laws, policies, documents, and regulations for fishermen, such as: National Border Law, Vietnam Sea Law, regulations on management of people and means of entering and exiting sea border areas... Mobilize fishermen to stick to fishing grounds to exploit aquatic and marine products; do not encroach on foreign waters when catching aquatic and marine products at sea. Strictly comply with regulations on management and exploitation of aquatic products. Thereby, making officers and fishermen in the "Rescue and rescue boats at sea" more aware of the sovereignty of the sea and islands. Recognize the plots and tricks of various types of criminals; actively and voluntarily comply with the law on maritime borders.

Fisherman Huynh Van Man, Head of the "Sea Rescue Boat Team" said that since the boat team started operating, the solidarity and closeness between fishermen and units of the Border Guard force and fishermen; the sense of responsibility has been raised, they regularly care, support, and help each other to do business more smoothly and well than before. Besides, together protecting the province's sea area, when detecting strange ships or illegal mineral exploitation vehicles, promptly report to Squadron 2, Border Guard Station of Truong Long Hoa Port. When there is a tropical depression or storm, the boat team is informed and together with the border guard force, promptly informs fishermen and vehicles operating and doing business at sea to avoid and take shelter; if there is a situation that affects vehicles operating at sea, promptly coordinate to respond.

Through the implementation of the model of "Rescue and rescue boats at sea", officers and soldiers have fully realized the meaning and importance. Since then, the etiquette, style and sense of responsibility of officers and soldiers of the unit have been significantly improved, improving the effectiveness of management and firmly protecting the sovereignty and security of the sea border of the unit in charge. Thereby, it is increasingly affirmed that the Provincial Border Guard in general, and Squadron 2 in particular, are always the core force in rescue and relief work, a reliable support for fishermen in the sea border area of the province.

During the half term (2020 - 2025):

There were 10 comrades who were awarded certificates of merit by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (of which, 06 comrades were awarded certificates of merit for their achievements in performing the task of strengthening the prevention and control of illegal immigration and the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic).

There are 04 comrades awarded the title of Emulation Fighter at the grassroots level.

There were 08 collectives and 18 individuals awarded the titles of advanced units and advanced individuals.

The Provincial Border Guard Command awarded 12 certificates of merit for outstanding achievements in emulation movements.

In addition, the unit also has 01 collective and 02 individuals awarded certificates of merit by the Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee for their achievements in preventing and combating illegal entry and exit and preventing and combating the Covid-19 epidemic. Long An Provincial Border Guard also rewarded 02 individuals for the above achievements.

In addition, the unit has independently and coordinated to organize patrols and controls on rivers and at sea. During the half-term (2020 - 2025), the Party Cell and Command of the unit led and directed the implementation of 25 patrols, with hundreds of officers and soldiers participating. In particular, the unit also increased 01 boat crew, with 11 officers and soldiers for the Border Guard of An Giang province to perform the task of preventing and combating illegal entry and exit on the Vietnam - Cambodia border and increased 02 comrades for the Border Guard of Long An province. At the same time, the unit carried out the task of organizing 12 pick-up and drop-off trips for 126 people from working delegations of the Central leaders, the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial Border Guard Command and working delegations to survey the sea area of the province in absolute safety, with a journey of 520 nautical miles.

In the first 6 months of 2023, the unit organized patrol boats, controlled 4 trips, with 38 officers and soldiers participating, controlled 25 vehicles, 306 people. Thereby, reminded 3 vehicle owners to hang the national flag, 2 vehicles to keep a logbook. Organized patrol boats and canoes to control and protect the groundbreaking ceremony of construction items of the Tra Vinh Green Hydrogen Production Plant Project...

Squadron 2 always strictly maintains combat readiness and performs tasks when situations arise. In particular, the unit always strictly maintains watchtower duty, through walkie-talkies, promptly contacts, calls, and guides 50 fishing vessels to shelters from storms and tropical depressions to ensure absolute safety for people and vehicles.

In addition, the unit maintains regular close coordination with the "Sea Rescue Boat Team", the Waterway Police Force, and the Waterway Traffic Inspectorate to exchange information and related situations at sea, firmly protecting the sovereignty and security of the province's maritime borders.

Article and photos: HUYNH NOI

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